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Military

Chapter 7

Abrams Full-Crew Interactive Simulator Trainer (AFIST)

The AFIST is an appended tank gunnery training device for use on a powerless, stationary, sheltered, M1 or M1A1 tank. With AFIST, M1 and M1A1 tank crews can conduct tank gunnery training using the actual controls and input devices of the tank.

AFIST Configurations

There are two different configurations for the AFIST: the 17/162A model (see Figure 7-1) and the 17/162B model (see Figure 7-2). The only difference between these two models is that the 17/162B is man transportable, and the 17/162A requires a forklift to transport.

Figure 7-1. 17/162A AFIST model.

Figure 7-2. 17/162B AFIST model.

AFIST Components

The AFIST consists of three major subsystems: the IOSs, the optical assemblies, and the sensors and control mock-ups.

INSTRUCTOR/OPERATOR STATION

The IOS provides the means by which the IO controls and monitors a crew's performance during an exercise. The IOS is tethered to the training vehicle via cabling to the various crew control sensors and indicators and optical devices mounted on the tank. The IOS allows the IO to select the desired training exercise and print a hard copy of the firing crew's performance. The IOS station for the 17/162A IOS consists of a three-rack cabinet (see Figure 7-1), and the 17/162B IOS consists of five man-portable transit cases (see Figure 7-2).

OPTICAL ASSEMBLIES

The optical assemblies appended to the tank allow the crew members to view the generated visual scenes, special effects, and targetry through their sighting systems. There are four video monitors appended to the exterior of the tank, which project imagery into the gun sights and vision blocks. These assemblies include custom lens assemblies and the video monitors on which the images are displayed.

SENSORS AND CONTROL MOCK-UPS

The sensors attach to the actual controls of the vehicle, and the control mock-ups attach to or are close to the actual vehicular controls. The sensors and control mock-ups provide the means by which the crew controls the vehicle during the running of an exercise.

AFIST Capabilities and Limitations

SYSTEM CAPABILITIES

The AFIST provides gunnery training using the majority of the fire control system and computer-generated graphics. The computational system of the AFIST determines point of aim for the weapon system in use and computes the trajectory of the round and point of impact.

The AFIST simulates the following visual effects:

  • Tracer.
  • Burst on target.
  • Burst on ground.
  • Hostile fire signature.
  • Obscuration.

The AFIST supports day unlimited and night unlimited visibility conditions, as well as the following degraded-mode engagements:

  • NBC conditions.
  • Stabilization failure.
  • Laser range finder failure.
  • Firing from the gunner's auxiliary sight.

SYSTEM LIMITATIONS

The AFIST, although appended to the actual tank, requires the use of mock ups to be used on certain portions of the fire control system, altering the actual positioning of the components. AFIST does not support firing the caliber .50 machine gun using the commander's weapon station or manual-mode engagements using the manual traversing handle and manual elevation hand pump.

Exercises within the AFIST training matrix contain only one replication of the exercise, allowing crews to easily memorize target activation points. Training exercises in the training matrix contain only one situation per exercise, further allowing the crew to memorize the activation points for targetry. The AFIST does not contain a boresight exercise to train this combat-critical task.

Training with AFIST

AFIST training should be conducted whenever possible to maintain gunnery proficiency or begin initial training for newly assigned or inexperienced crews.

Training milestones for the AFIST and the approximate time to achieve them is shown in Table 7-1.

AFIST TRAINING MILESTONES
Milestone Description Training Time
(approximate)
Preparatory Training Tank combat training before beginning AFIST training. 15 to 20 hours
Initial Training Initial training consists of tank gunnery training before beginning AFIST training. The following skills are trained in the initial phase:

  • Use of the fire control system.
  • Issuing and responding to fire commands.
  • Target acquisition and identification.
  • Laying the main gun for direction.
  • Occupy defensive fighting position.
 35 to 40 hours
Intensive Training Intensive training on AFIST is used to build gunnery skills to a level with less frequent training occasions. Crews should attain the following levels within the intensive phase:

  • Groups 1 through 4.
  • Tank Table IV Qualification.
  • Tank Table VIII Qualification per FM 17-12-1-1/-2 standards.
 8 to 12 hours
Sustainment Training Groups 4 and 6 Evaluation. Unlimited replications
Note. The training requirement to achieve the prerequisite to live fire is not satisfied by AFIST alone; it should be performed in accordance with FM 17-12-1-2, Chapter 13.

Table 7-1. AFIST training milestones.

AFIST TRAINING SYSTEM

The AFIST training system has a training matrix that consists of the orientation, training, and evaluation training modes. The training matrix contains 504 training tasks, most of which can be conducted in either a European or Desert database (see Table 7-2). The exercise matrix is divided into six different groups, which allow tank crews to progress to increasingly more difficult firing conditions.

AFIST TRAINING MATRIX
Group 1 90 Tasks
Group 2 90 Tasks
Group 3 90 Tasks
Group 4 82 Tasks
Group 5 90 Tasks
Group 6 62 Tasks
Total 504 Tasks

Table 7-2. AFIST training matrix.

ORIENTATION MODE

Exercises conducted in the orientation mode allocate three minutes for the crew to complete and can be selected from the TC's position in the tank if an IO is not present for training. The orientation mode is designed for entry-level training to develop the crew's coordination in engaging targets using the fire control system.

Training mode

Exercises conducted in the training mode are the same exercises as those in the orientation mode, but allot only 45 to 65 seconds to complete and cannot be selected from the TC's position in the tank. An IO must be present when crews are training in the training mode, to evaluate the crew's performance and determine when the crew is proficient enough to progress to the evaluation mode.

Evaluation mode

Exercises conducted in the evaluation mode are unique in that the time standards applied to the evaluation criteria are derived from the standards set forth in the FM 17-12-1-1/-2, dated 19 March 1993. Crews must pass the evaluation exercise for each group before progressing to the next group.

TRAINING TANK GUNNERY TABLES ON AFIST

The AFIST training matrix contains a selection of exercises designed to train crews on Tank Tables IV and VIII tasks. Tank Tables I through III can be trained on the AFIST using the guidelines outlined in Table 7-3.

AFIST
Table I Completion of Group 4.
Table II Completion of Group 4.
Table III Completion of Group 4.
(AFIST does not support manual exercises.)

Table 7-3. AFIST tank gunnery tables.

System Information

For more information about the AFIST, to include future upgrades and general information, contact the AFIST NETT, Gowan Field, ID, (DSN) 422-4076 or the National Guard Representative Office of the Special Assistant to the CG, Fort Knox, KY, (DSN) 464-3214, (Commercial) 502-624-3214.



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